An analysis of capital punishment in Uganda in light of international standards and comparable case law

Abstract:

"The study, considering international law and comparable case law on the subject in Africa, argues that Uganda does not comply with international standards in the use of the death penalty for countries that retain it. It h penalty in Uganda can be challenged. It is argued that it may not be easy to challenge the death penalty in Uganda as unconstitutional, but it can certainly be confronted based on the failure to comply with procedural safeguards for those on death row at the domestic, regional and international level.
The death penalty is currently a subject of debate in Uganda by both the public and the Constitutional Court. The fact that Uganda retains the death penalty and that the recent executions were caried out in the most horrendous manner is worrying. There is concern that this might be an emerging trend, which warrants an analysis of the legality of the punishment and its operation in Uganda. Furthermore, the death penalty is still carried out in most parts of Africe, yet there is not much written on the subject. Most of the writings on the subject of the death penalty focus on the USA. This study will contribute to the sparse research on the sujbect in Africa. The value of this research is that it indicates ways that can be used to confront the death penalty that may work not only in Uganda, but also in ohter parts of Africa." -- Introduction.

Description:

Prepared under the supervision of Professor Nico Steytler at the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape

Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2003.